Oberstar says he's unlikely to accept White House job

by Bob Kelleher, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., said it's unlikely he would accept an offer to serve as U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

But the eighth district Democrat is stopping short of saying he'd turn down the job.

Oberstar Chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Some pundits suggest he could be near the top of the list for Transportation Secretary in an Obama administration.

But Oberstar said he would need certain assurances first.

"It would take a lot. The bar is high. I'd have to have very keen assurance -- a meeting of the minds between President Elect Obama and myself, on the agenda that I foresee for transportation for the future," Oberstar said.

Oberstar was just elected to his 18th term representing Northeastern Minnesota.